Art has been defined as an attempt to make visible the workings of human thought and emotion in the natural world. Art may be visual, written, or tactile; but it must engage the senses. Art comes in many forms. The history of art shows a constant evolution in the development of new forms and technologies for expressing artistic feelings and ideas. Art is not a static object but is constantly changing and growing. Art may be a collection of objects, particular tools, or a creative process.
Art is a broad spectrum of human activity involving aesthetic beauty, technical skill, emotional strength, or creative ingenuity. Some forms of art include the fine arts such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and architecture, and music, literature, and dance. There are also non-art forms of communication, such as writing, reading, listening, and working. People think of art in different ways, depending on their temperament and personal experiences.
An appreciation of art begins with personal observation and may be built off by experience, through instruction or modeling from other artists, or by seeing something repeated in a second hand or vintage painting or photograph. However, some people go beyond mere personal observation and become supporters and advisers of specific artistic movements, perhaps because they find an artistic quality in something they like. A passion for art is one reason that people become advocates of certain artistic forms or types of works.
There is much debate about what is not art. People often use the terms interchangeably, sometimes with no clear distinction between the two. In general, however, most people agree that there are four major types of art: the visual art or painting, sculpture, photography, and music.
Modern art has become increasingly popular in the United States, Europe, and Japan. Many people think of abstract art as being lacking in relation to reality. Abstract art critics argue that since the artist creates the work of art in mind, it actually lacks a true representation of reality. However, many modern artists, including Gauguin, Dadaism, and Newman have produced works that many consider to be well within the realm of reality. Other people think that art should accurately represent life, such as a painting of a real tree.
Street art is seen by many people as being representative of urban life, graffiti is often associated with the street, and street artists may wear clothes that are reflective of their lifestyle. Since there are many different opinions on the definition of art, street artists often blend the abstract art with elements of reality. Some street artists also use stencils to add depth and texture to a painting. Others paint graffiti on walls, furniture, skateboards, bottles, and anything else that can be thought of as fitting a particular theme. Street art may seem chaotic, but many artists see it as a form of expression, a way for them to bring their feelings and thoughts out into the world.